Wrestling matches, particularly WWE matches generally follow the same format. The opening of the match is the babyface fire period. This is there the face avoids everything the heel throws at him, while delivering a beatdown. In more complex matches, this will involve the establishment of something the babyface is superior at that will play out through the rest of the match, whether it be through strength, mat wrestling, or numerous other abilities. For shorter or simpler matches though, all that’s important is that the babyface is superior.
The next portion of the match is the heel control or work over. This is usually begun, in simple WWE matches anyway, by a face making a mistake, whether missing a dive, being caught on a blind charge, or distracted by another heel. In more complex matches, the heel will generally take control because a face gets away from their strength, as explained above, and falls victim to something the heel is particularly good at. The heels control will then consist of them barely staying ahead, using their strength. If their strength is merely taking advantage of a mistake, the heel will generally try to ground the opponent with the most commonly used example of this being a chinlock.
Of course, the face being a better wrestler, he will make a comeback (after several hope spots, where he tries to come back and comes up just short, building tension). This often occurs when the heel whips the face into the ropes. The face will then hit a big move and struggle to rise, his great effort resulting in a groggy opponent while he regains his wits, leaving both men back at square one, but with an idea of each other’s weaknesses.
This usually leads into a finishing sequence. The finishing sequence is the face trying to do what was successful earlier to put the heel away, while the heel attempts to force a mistake again to regain advantage. The heel will now likely be trying outright cheating, whether by weapons, distractions or illegal maneuvers, to regain the advantage. If this succeeds before the face can put them away, or the face makes another mistake, the heel wins. If not, then the face comes out victorious. Of course, in a longer match, a finishing sequence may go quite long, or even be teased, leading into another work over before the real finishing. The structure stays relatively simple, but all the twist on the psychology, the wrestlers personality, and the story have kept this an entertaining performance for the better part of a century.
And now, here’s the always stellar Jake Ziegler with a Match Review!
WWE Night of Champions 2009: Intercontinental Championship Match – Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler
Mysterio has been the champion since 6.28.09, and this is his second defense. Ziggler is accompanied by his girlfriend Maria. Jim Ross gets on my good side by noting that Don Muraco, Kerry Von Erich, and Jeff Hardy all won their first Intercontinental Titles in Philadelphia. I like little factoids like that. JR keeps it going by stating that 13 Hall of Famers are former Intercontinental Champions. Just for fun – Pedro Morales, Pat Patterson, Don Muraco, Greg Valentine, Tito Santana, Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Curt Hennig, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ricky Steamboat., and Kerry Von Erich. Ziggler backs Mysterio into the corner at the start, to show his power advantage. They trade quick pinning combinations, as both men approach each other cautiously. Ziggler keeps Mysterio on the ground while his girlfriend cheers him on. She’s not the only one – a group can be heard chanting for Ziggler as well as Mysterio. Ziggler counters a rana with a buckle bomb for two. The challenger is firmly in control. As Grisham talks about Mysterio being a former World Heavyweight Champion, I realize Mysterio is one of few guys to win the Intercontinental Title after winning a World Title. Triple H and Pedro Morales are the only other two I can think of off the top of my head.
Meanwhile Mysterio makes a comeback with some high flying maneuvers, as JR calls his offense “Avant Garde.†Ziggler hits a powerslam out of nowhere for two. Mysterio comes back by knocking Ziggler to the floor and hitting a seated senton off the apron. Back in the ring Ziggler knocks Mysterio off the top rope and puts him on his shoulders. Ziggler drops Mysterio and goes for a Tiger Driver, but Mysterio avoids it and goes for the 619. That doesn’t connect, and Ziggler pitches Mysterio to the floor. Back in the ring Ziggler continues to wear Mysterio down, even using the Full Nelson. Mysterio comes back by rolling through a sunset flip and kicking Ziggler in the head for a two-count. He goes for a leap off the top rope and Ziggler nails him in the chest with a dropkick for a close near-fall. Ziggler charges into the corner and Mysterio moves out of the way, causing Ziggler to crash into the buckles and then the canvas. Mysterio sets Ziggler up top, but Ziggler counters and lands a super gutbuster for a near-fall that the crowd bought. The champion escapes a powerslam attempt, and then hits the 619 and a springboard splash to get the pin at 14:21. Mysterio’s hot streak continues and Ziggler is wrestling like a guy with something to prove. The result was an excellent match that lends itself to a rematch. Ziggler made an excellent showing in his biggest match to date.
Rating: ***½
That’s it for today, tomorrow’s Friday Morning Backlash at 10am is TNA oriented so check back and if you’re curious here’s Monday‘s Night of Champions Report Card, Tuesday on the best wrestlers in the world, and Wednesday on the Departures of Jericho and Matt Hardy.
